Question

In which case would a patient most likely have an order to be NPO?

a. a patient who is 85-years old
b. a patient who is obese
c. a patient preparing for endoscopy
d. patient who had knee surgery yesterday

Answer 1

A patient who is preparing for an endoscopy is most likely to have an order to be NPO.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term NPO stands for 'nil per os,' which means 'nothing by mouth' in Latin. It is usually an order given to patients who need to fast and not consume any food or liquids for a specific period of time. In the given options, a patient who is preparing for an endoscopy is most likely to have an order to be NPO. Before an endoscopy, patients need to have an empty stomach to allow for clearer visualization and reduce the risk of complications.